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Food

The Coffee Routine of a Superstar Travel Agent

By | Article, Blogs, Food, Tips & Tricks

The Coffee Routine of a Superstar Travel Agent

If tea is your thing, this might not be for you. If you’re into trying new things, this will be for you.

Coffee, it can be enjoyed in many different ways. There’s drip coffee, stove top, pour over, aeropress, french press, cold brew, campfire percolated, moka pot, and the list goes on.

In order to appreciate this article you have to understand the three types of coffee drinkers.

Type 1. This person has a hectic life. Their preferred method of caffeine injection is stopping by a coffee shop to have someone else make it for them.

Type 2. This person has a little bit more control of their life. They press a button on the trusty coffee maker and voilà. Hot, ready coffee.

Type 3. This person doesn’t drink coffee for the caffeine. They drink coffee for the experience – for the process. Type 3’s usually grind fresh, organic, fair-trade beans right before adding it to either a french press, aeropress, or pour over. They’re okay with waiting for the water to boil and waiting for the coffee to steep or drip through. It’s all done for the love of the process.

I am type 3. The method I’ll be explaining will yield the best result if you follow each step. However, know that this can be done for type 1 or type 2 folk. This tried and tested caffeine elixir that I’ll be sharing has been my go-to morning drink for well over 6 years. It has provided mental clarity, energy, and over all great feelings. If you’re going to be in COVID Quarantine, you might as well be drinking an amazing cup of coffee. (after all, you now have the time on your hands to do so).

The Coffee Routine of a Superstar Travel Agent

This recipe is for a 16oz cup. The brew method will be French press. (purchase one here: https://amzn.to/39S51Tn)

Step 1. Boil the water. Either on stove top, or an electric kettle. Loss of volume to steam may occur. Make sure to boil a little more than 16 oz.

Step 2. In a manual or automatic burr grinder, grind 5-6 tbsp of fresh coffee beans. Add the grinds to the press. A medium roast is preferred, medium-dark is fine, and a dark roast will work if you enjoy things bitter. (Make sure the grind is coarse.)

Step 3. Bloom the grinds. With the press lid off, pour just enough water to cover the ground beans. Gently swirl the water around for 15 seconds. After swirling, let it sit for another 15 seconds.

Step 4. Slowly add the remaining water to the press. Let it steep for 3 minutes 30 seconds.

Step 5. While the coffee is steeping – in a blender add 1 tbsp of unsalted grass-fed butter and 1 tbsp of mct oil. (these two brands are preferred: Brain Octane or MCT OIL)

Step 6. After steeping, put the lid on and slowly press down on the plunger – pushing the grounds to the bottom of the press. Add coffee to the blender.

Step 7. Blend the coffee, butter, and mct oil mixture for about 30 seconds.

Step 8. Pour a delicious, frothy, creamy beverage into your favorite mug and enjoy.

 

Are you guys still with me? Are you totally freaked out by the fact that I told you to put butter and oil into your coffee? Ready for some Science?

Why Butter & Oil?

The caffeine crash. We all know it. Some contributing factors are us adding way too much sugar to our coffee, either in its natural state or hidden in creamers and milks.

The reason we add butter and oil to our coffee is most simply explained like this. The caffeine binds to the fats of the butter and oil and helps elongate the rise and fall of our caffeine high. If you pictured it on a graph, you’d see a smooth curve rather than a sharp spike, followed by a sharp downward fall. (a.k.a the crash)

Remember we’re talking about a high quality grass-fed butter like Kerrygold, not a tub of Country Crock soybean oil. And MCT oil or medium-chain triglycerides which are derived from coconuts. Medium-chain triglycerides are easy to digest and absorb into your bloodstream quickly which then turns into energy.

Like I mentioned above, this drink can be created in many ways. Brew the coffee however you like. The key is adding the quality butter and mct oil to your coffee and blending it.

I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try this coffee drink. What’s the worst that can happen, you might enjoy it? And you will definitely get a new surge of energy which will help power your travel business!

The Best Things to do at Night on Vacation

By | Article, Blogs, Featured, Food, Places, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

For night owls on vacation daytime activities and sightseeing won’t be enough to tire us out! When in a foreign place, you can get stuck in the hotel room wondering what there is to do. Here are just a few awesome night activities in some of the best vacation spots.

1. Night Kayaking in a Bioluminescent Bay 

The inspo for this blog post comes from my upcoming trip to Puerto Rico. I don’t have any excursions planned other than night kayaking in the bioluminescent bay. There are a few bioluminescent bays (or glow in the dark water!!!) around the world, but the one I will be visiting is The Farjado Bio Bay. This is an activity only done at night and is a uniquely memorable experience.

2. River Cruise on the Seine 

Image result for night cruise seine

A river cruise on the Seine is a good activity for anytime a day, but in the city of lights, this is one of the best ways to experience Paris. This can also be a romantic outing with the cruise offering romantic dinners on board.

Image result for night cruise seine dinner

3. Bar Crawl in Cancun 

Image result for bar crawl cancun night

If you are a partier, there is no place like Cancun. I don’t have to tell you that there are hundreds of bars and clubs: the nightlife in Cancun is very alive and will surely keep you entertained. You and your friends can do a bar crawl or even just sit back and people watch, either will keep you entertained.

4. Visit the Sky Garden in London 

Image result for sky garden london night

Image result for sky garden london

The Sky Garden in London is a great option for night activities. Get there before sundown and have an amazing view of the city. The Sky Garden is open until 9 pm, but the bars inside are open until 1 am. The photo above is from their New Year’s Eve party, so if you can make it to one of their special events, it’s worth it.

5. ArtafterDark Museum Tour 

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Image result for honolulu museum of art

This photo does not do the Honolulu museum justice, but it shows how fun ArtafterDark is. This event is held one Friday a month by volunteer local artists who love art and partying. The museum is home to over 50,000 pieces of art, and who doesn’t love looking at art drunk? This is a very popular event with lines sometimes wrapping around the building. This would be a great change of pace after relaxing on a beautiful beach all day.

No matter if you are a day or night owl, be sure to book your trip with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist. We do all the work so you can focus on relaxing and not spending all of your time booking.

 

My Trip to LA (Documented in Food)

By | Article, Blogs, Food, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

This past summer I went to the city of dreams to celebrate. This was my second time visiting Los Angeles, so I knew not to expect anything out of a Miley Cyrus song…

party in the usa GIF by Miley Cyrus

got off the plane at LAX 🎶

LA is a very conflicting place. There is extreme wealth, and extreme poverty with shanty towns built under every bridge you pass beneath. It isn’t the glamorous place you often seen it portrayed as.

 

The thing that I really love about LA, is that there is no shortage of things to do and food to eat. I am Celiac so often times am very limited at restaurants in Florida, but in LA I was able to eat almost anywhere many times with a separate Gluten Free menu. Even though LA isn’t everything I thought it would be, I was blown away by all the food that I ate. I am the type of person who plans my vacations around my next meal. This was last trip was for my 23rd birthday so I really indulged myself on food.

Since food is obviously the most important part of any vacation, I am going to outline my trip to LA in everything I ate.

Postmates

Image result for postmates gif

I think the thing I spent the most money on during my trip was Postmates. If you don’t know what Postmates is, it’s an app that lets you order ANYTHING you want at pretty much any time. The first night I got into the city, I didn’t get to my Airbnb until 1 am and I was starving. Me and my best friend spent $12 for the luxury of having a giant box of parmesan garlic fries delivered straight to our door. They were slightly soggy from the drive, but the convenience of not moving from the couch is unbeatable. I wish I had a photo of this massive cardboard box of fries, but it’s pretty much exactly what you would imagine: slightly floppy shoe string fries covered in parmesan and garlic crumbs.

Throughout the trip I used Postmates just for the sake of using it. To my defense, without a car, going to get my own food would entail an Uber drive that could cost up to $12 just for a few mile ride.

Coffee

My obsession in LA is Alfred’s Coffee. I get an Iced Oatmilk Latte with Classic Sweetener and it is the creamiest, smoothest, most delicious coffee I’ve ever had the privilege of sipping. I made it a point to try and drink at least one every day of my trip. My favorite location is the one in Studio City.

Image result for studio city alfreds coffeeImage result for studio city alfreds coffee

Every location is unique, but equally aesthetic. I loved this location because the street is quiet, and there were people with their friends and dogs sitting on the porch and talking. It had a very European Cafe feel where people aren’t just glued to their laptop screen, but are actually using coffee as a hangout. Studio city has a residential feel in some parts, and this street in particular had a Mid Century feel with many original buildings from the 60s era.

Me and my friend sat on the porch and people watched, then walk down the street to some local vintage shops. It was my favorite part of the entire city because it was quiet, clean, and had a very unique eclectic style. And of course, the coffee was outstanding.

 

Brunch

Image result for sage bistro los angeles

On my birthday, me and all of my friends went to brunch! We went to Sage Bistro in Culver city. We didn’t know when we found it on google, that it was 100% plant based, but that didn’t affect the taste at all. 

Image result for sage bistro los angeles

We started off with their “Buffalo Wings” that were made out of cauliflower. These were one of my favorite things I ate the entire trip: 10/10. They somehow achieved a very similar texture to chicken wings, and their vegan ranch was amazing.

Image result for sage bistro los angeles avocado toast

Avocado toast is King at brunch, and Sage Bistro’s avo toast did not disappoint. This photo shows “regular” bread, but as I mentioned before I am unfortunately gluten free. They made my toast on a gluten free bagel, which was surprisingly chewy and not dry. It was great, and not something I ever get to have at restaurants in Florida.

Sushi

Not sure why I look terrified by my sushi roll in this photo?

For my birthday, I went to SUGARFISH, a popular sushi restaurant in Downtown LA.

Image result for sugarfish

They are well known on instagram for their aesthetic sushi bento boxes. You wont find a spider roll or a volcano roll on the menu; SUGARFISH specializes in simple, high quality rolls that really feature the flavor of the fish. I had a scallop roll, a tuna roll, and a lobster roll. There wasn’t many other ingredients in the roll other than the fish itself, and it was all delicious. The fish melts in your mouth, with no rubbery bite. I would compare the quality of fish to that of Nobu, notably the most famous sushi restaurant in Los Angeles (with the hefty price tag included). SUGARFISH was a lot cheaper and did not compromise on quality.

One thing is for sure, I need to get back to LA and eat a lot more food- I wouldn’t have to repeat anything (except Alfred’s Coffee of course)

If you want to experience the city of angels first hand, be sure to book it with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist. 

 

Where your Zodiac Sign is Sending you on Vacation

By | Article, Blogs, Food, Places, Vacations
Sometimes we are in desperate need for a vacation but don't know where to go. Instead of throwing a dart at a map, why not 
follow the stars. Find out what your zodiac sign is sending you on vacation. 

p .s. I personally do not believe in zodiac signs, but it's for fun.


Capricorn ( December 22- January 19)

Likes: Family, Traditions, Music 

Capricorns are known for being serious and well mannered. They do not like to go too far out of their comfort zone, and like to know what to expect. They feel most

comfortable around those they love the most. Something like skydiving or camping in the Sahara Desert might not be fun for a Capricorn. They feel happy with a well

planned itinerary and a relaxing local.

 

A Family Friendly All- Inclusive 

keeping up with the kardashians family GIFhomer simpson singing GIFbeach day summer GIF

An all inclusive is a reclusive Capricorn’s dream! You don’t have to leave the resort, and you have all that you need. Food and drinks are usually included so you can have an

unlimited amount (without going out of your comfort zone.) A family friendly resort means your whole family can come along and they’ll barely leave your side.

dont leave me mom

If you do want to go on excursions, you can book them all ahead of time with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist. HERE

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Likes: Adventure, People, Freedom

Aquarius take pride in their independence, and being an individual. They are not afraid of doing new things, and love it most when doing it in the company of others. Aquarius are the “people people” of the signs. They are most likely booking their flight the night before they go and packing everything into a duffel bag. Aquarius aren’t afraid of the unknown!

Backpacking across Europe with their friends

A great get away for an Aquarius would be backpacking across Europe with friends (or even people they meet along the way).

Aquarius Girl Backpacking Across Europe

An Aquarius would thrive being a solo traveler as well: staying in Hostels and not knowing what city they will be going to next. They will probably document the entire trip just so they can look back on it when they inevitably have wanderlust again.

Pisces (February 19- March 20)

Likes: Being alone, Sleeping, Swimming 

Pisces are gentle and enjoy to spend their vacation time alone. They love quiet little nooks preferably close to the water.

A Quiet Airbnb in Big Sur

bay area house GIF by Chris Cubellis

Pisces are a very creative sign: writers, painters, and thinkers. They will most likely spend their off time working on their next project in a dreamy cottage near the sea.

A trip up California’s scenic central coast to Big Sur is the perfect destination for a pisces. They’ll be oh-so relaxed with the sound of waves crashing along the shore

as they snuggle up with a book in their airbnb (capacity max-2).

cozy sarah chalke GIF by HULU

Actual image of a Pisces

Aries (March 21- April 19)

Likes: Thrills, Exercise, Leading

Aries love a thrill and have no problem with getting physical. They are leaders by nature, so they will probably plan the entire vacation themselves (Also because they’ll be going alone). They won’t stay still and will jam pack their vacation with activities and adventures. Aries aren’t the type to waste away at an all inclusive: they much prefer thinking outside of the box for their time away.

A Trip to Japan

Aries Arriving in Japan

Japan is full is of whimsical cities with varying personalities. Aries aren’t faint of heart and will have no issues immersing themselves in a new cultural experience. They’ll find

a thrill in getting lost in the brightly lit streets of Tokyo, and eating at the infamous Robot restaurant.

Taurus (April 20- May 20)

Likes: Indulging, Music, Nature

Taurus are not the type to “rough it” on vacation. They have an appreciation for the finer things in life, and have no problem treating themselves often. This doesn’t mean they need to stay at the Ritz Carlton and eat hard to pronounce gourmet dishes every night, but they certainly don’t mind spending a little more. As an earth sign, Taurus love mountains, deserts, and the view. They love to engage their senses so a great view and a nice room will suit them well.

A luxury lodge in Sedona Arizona

sun clouds GIF

You won’t find a Taurus pitching a tent in the deserts of Arizona, but a luxury lodge with a view of the red rock mountains is the perfect destination.

Image result for sedona luxury lodge

 

Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Likes: Adventure, Loved ones, Conversation

Geminis are extremely imaginative and easily bored. Geminis will be most happy bouncing from place to place: they will make the most of wherever they are.

A Cross Country Road trip 

road trip fox GIF by New Girl

They will have something to look forward to at every spot; they’ll also most likely make up games to play in the car to pass the time and not get bored.

the simpsons episode 3 GIF

It doesn’t matter the budget they will find a way to have fun, so whether you stay at motels along the way, or have a nice hotel at your final destination- they won’t mind.

Cancer (June 22- July 22)

likes: Family, Home, Emotional Connection

As a cancer myself, I can vouch for the Cancer’s strong connection to home and family. Although we do enjoy travel, we will most likely get home sick unless we lug our entire family with us.

A Weekend Trip to the Beach 

beach day summer GIF

As a Florida girl this is my favorite kind of trip of all. Just a short drive from home, me and the family will book a little beach hotel and spend the entire weekend on the beach making memories.

Leo (July 23- August 22)

likes: Luxury, Partying, Drama

Leo’s are party animals! They are most likely on the most FOMO inspiring vacation- whether that be an epic European vacation complete with yachts and pasta, or a trip to New York City getting into all the best parties.

A Private Yacht in Ibiza

between the lines ibiza GIF by Robyn

Leo’s will have the best instagram pics that makes you question why your life isn’t as good as theres. They’ll have wild stories when they return from their trip!

Virgo (August 23- September 22)

Likes: Time alone, Individuality, Details

Virgos are very meticulous and calculated. They will plan every detail of their vacation far in advance to ensure they have the best time possible. Virgos have no problem being alone and will on the contrary prefer to vacation alone so they can do everything their way.

A Parisian Tour

France Paris GIF

A Parisian tour booked with the assistance of a Luxevo Vacations Travel Agent would be a perfect match for a Virgo. This way, their entire itinerary will be booked and they can tailor the vacation to their very specific needs. They’ll enjoy being alone in a crowd, and enjoying all of the best restaurants, and museums.

Libra (September 23- October 22)

Likes: Tranquility, Romance

Libras love to unwind and reset on vacation. They are very romantic and will probably want to bring alone their significant other. They won’t be too keen on locals with too much noise and fuss.

Yoga Retreat in Mexico

om GIF

A yoga retreat is a perfect way for Libras to get away from it all and recharge. Mexico is a good destination because there are other options if they are feeling like getting out of their comfort zone. They can do yoga, ATV, go to the beach, or enjoy all the culture Mexico has to offer.

They can book their vacation with Luxevo Vacations and stay at one of Karisma’s all inclusive resorts with free yoga classes.

 

Scorpio (October 23- November 21)

Likes: Relaxation, Nature

Scorpios are wound tight and like to take the opportunity to completely let go of the stress they’ve built up. They like the forrest, and although they aren’t the type to stay in  a tent, they’ll do what they have to do.

A Cabin in the Redwood Forest

A beautiful cabin with a scenic view will be a great option. Scorpios will likely spend half their time inside unwinding and taking a bath. When they are ready, they will venture out to take a hike and take polaroid pictures they’ll hang on their wall to reminisce.

boogie nights polaroid GIF

Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)

Likes: Change, Challenges, Fun

Sagittarius are always looking for the next thing. They are intrigued by the unknown, and are very flexible. As a fire sign, they like the heat and don’t need the typical blue waters, white sand vacation.

A Trip to Area 51

area 51 aliens GIF

A Sagittarius will probably be into conspiracies and would love a trip to see if Aliens really do exist.

All jokes aside, a trip to the Nevada desert is a great fit for a Sag. They can take a scenic ride through the desert on the back of a llama-

and camp beneath the stars.

 

Even if none of these vacations are written in the stars for you, one thing is for sure- No matter what vacation you are dreaming up in your head, a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist can make it happen!

Book Here

 

Tropical Drinks to Make You Feel Like You’re Still on Vacation

By | Article, Blogs, Food

WE’VE ALL GONE ON VACATION and come home craving certain drinks or foods from the place we just left. In honor of that, we have come up with a list of tropical drinks you have most likely tried (and loved) while sitting on a beach somewhere!

Image result for alcohol on vacation gif

MAI TAI

If you fancy rum and juice (no, not gin *sorry Snoop*), the Mai Tai is definitely the drink for you!
  • 5 oz. Spiced Rum
  • 5 oz. Coconut-Flavored Rum
  • 3 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • 2 oz. Orange Juice
  • 1 splash of Grenadine

BLUE HAWAIIAN

A drink that resembles the aqua-colored water of Hawaii that’s also incredibly delicious AND hydrating… What more could you want?!
  • 5 oz. Rum
  • 75 oz. Blue Curaçao
  • 75 oz. Crème de Coconut
  • 2 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • Garnish with a cherry and pineapple wedge

TEQUILA SUNRISE

If you’re a tequila lover like me, the Tequila Sunrise is just what the doctor ordered (well, no really; but we can pretend)!
  • 5 oz. Tequila, Chilled
  • 4 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
  • 1 Dash Grenadine

MARGARITA

You know what’s better than one margarita? TWO margarita’s, obviously!
  • 5 oz. Grand Marnier
  • 5 oz. Premium Tequila
  • 75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
  • 5 oz. Simple Syrup
  • Splash of Orange Juice
(Enjoy this drink, blended or on the rocks!)

BAHAMA MAMA

As a very wise woman once said, “Save the drama for your (Bahama) Mama”! It’s impossible to be upset when you’re drinking one of these babies.
  • 5 oz. White Rum
  • 5 oz. Coconut Rum
  • 5 oz. Grenadine
  • 1 oz. Orange Juice
  • 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • 1 cup Crushed Ice

MOJITO

When the warm weather comes to stay, break out the mint and muddle yourself a refreshing mojito!
  • 6 Mint Leaves
  • 75 oz. Simple Syrup
  • 75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
  • 5 oz. White Rum
  • 5 oz. Club Soda

PAINKILLER

True to its name, Painkillers allow you to feel nothing but the sun on your skin and the happiness in the air (*sips* “ahhh”)!
  • 1 oz. Orange Juice
  • 2 oz. Dark Rum
  • 4 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • 1 oz. Cream of Coconut
  • Nutmeg for Garnish

WHITE LADY

The White Lady is equal parts decadent, sweet, and sour. If you’re searching for a sweet, dessert-like drink, look no further (trust us, you’ll thank us later)!
  • 5 oz. Gin
  • 75 oz. Lemon Juice
  • 75 oz. Cointreau Orange Liqueur

MIAMI VICE

We know that the popular ‘80’s TV show, Miami Vice, was popular; but believe it or not, we think that the drink is even better!
  • 5 oz. 151 Rum
  • 8 oz. Piña Colada Mix
  • 8 oz. Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

SEX ON THE BEACH

Sex on the Beach is so underrated, and that’s mostly because when people order drinks, they don’t want to utter those four embarrassing words. But trust us, if you’re looking for a fruity, exotic drink, put Sex on the Beach at the top of your list!
  • 5 oz. Vodka
  • 5 oz. Peach Schnapps
  • 5 oz. Orange Juice or Pineapple Juice
  • 5 oz. Cranberry Juice
  • 5 oz. Crème de Cassis

Image result for alcohol on vacation gif

Now that you have our favorite tropical drinks, try them out for yourself and let us know what your favorites are!

Mondays are for Margaritas

By | Article, Blogs, Food

AS A MILLENNIAL, I love social media hashtags, like #TravelTuesday, #WanderlustWednesday, #TBT (throwback Thursday), #FridayFeeling, #SaturdaySelfie, and #SundayFunday.

So, I thought we would celebrate this wonderful Monday with a popular hashtag on Instagram, #MargaritaMonday by presenting you with the best margarita recipe! These ingredients will have your mouth watering for a margarita by the end of the day.

Use this as your #MondayMotivation to get through the day!

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces blanco tequila
  • 2 freshly squeezed limes
  • 1 fresh squeezed lemon
  • 1 fresh squeezed orange
  • 1 ounce Simple Syrup

Directions

SIMPLE SYRUP:

  • Boil 1 cup of water in a small saucepan and add 1 cup of sugar.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.

NEXT:

  • Squeeze 2 limes, 1 lemon, and 1 orange to make fresh juice.
  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime/lemon/orange juice, and simple syrup.  Cover and shake until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds.

OR

  • Blend ice, tequila, lime/lemon/orange juice, and simple syrup in a blender for a frozen margarita.

FINISH:

  • Take a chilled glass, rub a lime slice around rim, then press rim of the glass into kosher salt.
  • Pour margarita into the glass
  • Garnish with a slice of lime, lemon, orange or all 3!
  • Drink up!
  • Repeat.

Image result for making a margarita gif

Let Your Taste Buds Take You to Paradise

By | Article, Blogs, Food

DO YOU MISS THE FEELING of sitting on a tropical island, cold drink in your hand, sun on your skin, staring at the clearest blue waters? Do you need a break from your busy schedule to just be able to relax like you’re on a vacation? I think we all do. So, why not try and recreate those delicious frozen drinks that you got to enjoy while relaxing on vacation, to give you that moment of pure bliss?

Related image

Here are 10 frozen drink recipes that you can indulge in at any tropical resort!

Pina Colada

pineapple, banana, coconut milk

Tropical

mango, banana, strawberries, pineapple, coconut milk

Orange Obsession

orange, mango, strawberries, orange juice

Island Breeze

peach, mango, banana, strawberries, guava juice

Passion Paradise

mango, strawberries, peaches, pineapples, guava juice, orange juice

Strawberry Refresher

strawberries, banana, pineapple juice

Berry Good

strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apple juice

Mello Mango

mango, peach, pineapple juice

Hawaiian Holiday

banana, pineapple, strawberries, orange juice, pineapple juice

Papaya Perfection

papaya, pineapple, coconut milk

Image result for smoothie gif

Whichever drink sounded the most delicious to you, just add a scoop of ice and blend these ingredients together for a cold, fruity, delicious smoothie break that will bring you back to paradise!

 

(TIP! If you really want to take the edge off, you can add of shot of whatever alcohol your taste palette desires! Like, coconut rum, tequila, or vodka.)

Drink the Local Flavors

By | Article, Blogs, Food

THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY IS RISING in popularity. People are conforming to the lifestyle of being an “experienced craft-beer drinker” because they do not want to keep drinking the same old watered-down beer. There are so many elements that influence this lifestyle, like what styles, ingredients, flavors, aromas, scents, ABV (Alcohol by volume), IBU (International bitterness units), name brands, locations, and the list goes on. Craft beers are intriguing because no beer is the same. They are all unique in look, flavor, smell, brewery history, and the feeling it gives you.Image result for craft beer gif

Some of the most trendsetting craft beer breweries started in the Caribbean and made its way over to the U.S. So, we listed here 10 local craft beers brewed in the Caribbean.

Red Stripe

Jamaica’s infamous Red Stripe craft beer, is brewed by Desnoes & Geddes Limited at the Red Stripe Brewery in Kingston, Jamaica. This beverage has been brewing since 1928. The locals and tourist love this light amber, butterscotch flavor, with an easy 4.7% alcohol. Red Stripe represents the passion and ethnicity of Jamaica, so every bottle is made with Jamaica’s authenticity.

Balashi Chill

Balashi Chill is micro-brewed at the Brouwrij Nacional Balashi, in Santa Cruz, Aruba. It was first brewed back in 1998. It is the only beer brewed here making it, Aruba’s beer. This golden beer has won taste awards in 2001, 2004, and 2013, crafted only with premium ingredients, like Aruba’s world class water, barley, rice, and corn. It has a 5% ABV and a sweeter taste. This island beer is made with quality and passion.

Tempus Alt Clasica

Tempus Alt Clasica craft beer, is micro-brewed at Cerveceria Primus (Primus Brewery) in Mexico. This 5.2% ABV, deep amber, creamy texture, nutty with earthy hops, balanced with sweet malts; is created to be smooth for your palate. This beverage has the perfect balance of flavors from the fresh produce found in Mexico, making it one of the top craft beers to try.

Presidente

Presidente is brewed by the primary beer producer in the Dominican Republic, since 1935, at the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND). This gold, pilsner style beer has a 5% ABV and a moderately bitter hops flavor. Made from the best quality raw materials in D.R., definitely makes it the best beer, the realest tasting beer, and gives you the feeling of the Dominican. Because it is so widely accepted by locals and tourists, this increases the contribution to the sales of the products, resources, and people of D.R. It has developed a true beer culture.

Blonde Ale

Boquerón Brewing Company’s Blonde Ale from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico is on the rise. Their mission isn’t to brew the most quantity of beer, but rather produce the highest quality of the freshest ales. This golden color, 5% ABV, beer uses premium malts, hops, yeast, and lemon to give a mild bitterness and unique taste. This balance of tasty and refreshing pleases lovers of all craft beers.

Island Pirate Ale

Island Pirate Ale is the first- ever Bahamian India Pale Ale, brewed at Pirate Republic Brewing Company in Nassau, Bahamas. This 5.2% ABV, American-style ale is copper color, smooth with a delicious complexity of pineapple and citrus aromas. Their motto is “we bet you’ll be feeling like an island pirate in no time.” This beer is well balanced and refreshing.

10 Saints

10 Saints Hand Crafted Beer is aged in Mount Gay ‘Special Reserve’ rum casks, at 10 Saints Brewing, in Barbados. This 4.8% ABV, golden-amber beer has a lightly roasted malt and vanilla aroma with a smooth finish of spicy rum. 10 Saints Brewing got their name because Barbados is split into 11 parishes, out of the 11 parishes, 10 of them are Saints, getting their name 10 Saints Brewing. The owner of 10 Saints utilizes this by educating tourists and locals about the history of Barbados.

Belikin Lager

Belize Brewing Company, is home of the Belikin Lager, since 1969. This beverage has become one of the top sellers in Belize. This classic, full-bodied beer, is a special blend of Canadian pilsner malt and German hops, with a revitalizing 4.8% ABV. There motto is “Belikin is brewed for Belizeans, by Belizeans, and onli eena Belize.”

Wadadli

This famous flagship craft beer, Wadadli, is micro-brewed at the Antigua Brewery, in Antigua, Guatemala. It has become a favorite amongst the locals and tourists, making it the beer of Antigua. This 4.8% ABV, has strong aromas of sweet malt, tastes of grain, corn, with a light bitter finish. Antigua Brewery has started a new trend in the local beer market by using in-house desalination plant to provide fresh water for their brewing operations. They also offer refunds on returned bottles. The locals are appreciative of how eco-friendly this brewery is and how they stay true to the flavors of Guatemala.

Make sure to try these local beers when you visit one of these 9 Caribbean spots!